Packer for wells



July 5, 1938. p, M RQHRBAUGH 2,122,754

PACKER FOR WELLS A TTORNEYS.

`July 5, 1938. P. M. ROHRBAUGH PACKER FOR WELLS Filed July 12, 1957 2Sheets-Shea?l 2 f--va v e le E "gne ola

' INVENTOR.

Pal V. QohrbaUq/J. BY gaaf ATTORNEYS.

. vise novel means for temporarily setting a packer Patented July 5,1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKER FOR WELLS Paul M. Rohrbaugh,Duncan, Okla., assignor to Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company,

This invention relates to apparatus adapted for use in oil wells or thelike, and more particularly to packers and means for releasably securing the same to the 'casing of a, well.

It is often desirable to flx and seal a valve or other structure to thecasing of an oil well. For example, where a well is to be cemented byforcing cement slurry under pressure down into the well through drillpipe or tubing and into the formation of the well, particularly inconnection with what is known as a squeeze job, it is desirable toprovide means at the bottom of the tubing which can be fixed to thecasing, thus holding the tubing in place against the fluid pressure ofthe cement. It is also desirable in such a case to provide a packer orother sealing means around the tubing so as to prevent the passage ofcement slurry upwardly between the tubing-and the casing.

It is an obje'ct of the present invention to deon tubing or drill pipein a well, secure the packer in place and hold the same against movementwith respect to the casing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel means forremoving a packer or securing means fastened to the casing-in an oilwell.

It is another object of the invention to devise apparatus for retainingcement or other fluid under high fluid pressure in place in an oil welland to so arrange the apparatus that it can be readily removed from thewell after it has accomplished itspurpose.

It is a further object of the invention to devise novel means 4forsetting and releasing slips or l other holding means in the casing of anoil well.

It is still a further object of' the invention to provide a mechanismadapted for use with a packer or with slips and in which the slips areso 4connected to the packer and operating mechanism that toggle actionis used in the setting and releasing of the slips.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of thearrangement and construction of parts as will be more apparent from aconsideration of the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a packer assemblyconstructed in accordance with the, principles of the present inventionand showing the parts in the relative positions which they occupy whilethe assembly is being lowered into an oil well;

Figure 1A is a view in perspective of fragmentary portions of latchingmeans shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown inFigure 1 but illustrating the relative positions of the parts after theslips have been set in the casing of an oil well but before the packerhas been expanded into engagement with the casing;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown inFigure 1 but showing the parts in the relative positions which theyoccupy after the slips and packer have been set in the casing and duringa cementing operation;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown inFigure 1 but illustrating the relative positions after the cement ,hasbeen placed in the well and hardened and after the slips have beenreleased from engagement with the 'casing of a well; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the slips employed in thearrangement of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of one of the upper links employed inthe apparatus of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 'l is a perspective View of a fragment of one of the lower linksemployed in the ar- A rangement of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of the control ring employed in thearrangement of Figures 1 to 4 with a portion of the latching sleeveconnected thereto; and

Figure 9 is a view in perspective of a slotted nut employed in thearrangement of Figures 1 to 4. y

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that in Figures 1to 4 an oil well casing is illustrated at II. Apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention adapted to be secured to thecasing to seal the lower portion from the upper portion thereof, mayinclude a central tubular mandrel I2 which may be screw threaded on tothe lower end of the drill pipe or tubing (not shown) in accordance withusual practice. The mandrel I2 extends practically throughout the entirelength of the packer assembly. It is provided with a swivel I3 at itslower end so as to form a connection with the lower shoe I4 of a packerI5. This packer may be of rubber or like material and constructed inaccordance with known practices. Usually, the lower shoe of such apacker is provided with a sleeve which extends upwardly inside thepacker between it and the lower part of the operating mandrel. A sleeveof this nature is shown at I6 55 in the drawings. The packer I5 is alsoprovided with an upper shoe I1 concentrically disposed with respect tothe upper end of the sleeve I6.

' Located abovethe packer and connected to the upper shoe I1 thereof isa set of slips designated I8. Any number of slips may be employed, butin the arrangement illustrated, four are contemplated. Each 'slip isprovided with a number of outwardly and upwardly directed teeth I9 whichare adapted to engage and bite into the casing II when the slips areforced outwardly radially into contact with the casing II. Each slip I81 is connected to the upper shoe |1 by means of parallel links 28.-'I'he upper ends of these links are pivoted to the slips and the lowerends are pivoted to the upper shoe I1. 'The inclination of the links I28is such that any pressure tending to move the shoe I1 upwardly will tendto cause the teeth I9 on the slips to rmly engage the casing. The uppersurface of each of the teeth I9 is preferably at right angles to thedirection of inclination of the links 28 when the slips are set. Thiswill make it easier torelease the slips by pulling them inwardly sincethe upper surfaces of the teeth will be tangent to the circular motionabout the lower pivot points of the links.

Any known type of slip or tooth construction may be employed instead ofthe arrangement herein described without departing from the purview ofthe invention.

The links 28 should be made as strong as possible. Since the links areintended to take chiey compressional stresses, it is preferable to fitthem into recesses -or sockets in the shoe and slips, as describedhereinafter in connection with Figure 5. As many links 28 may beemployed as are necessary to give the desired strength but only two foreach slip have been shown in the drawings. Being parallel, the links 28provide means for maintaining the slips in a vertical position at alltimes.

While the apparatus is being lowered into the well, it is desirable thatthe slips I8 should not drag upon the casing and it is also desirable toprevent them from engaging the casing should it be desirable to raisethe assembly a slight distance, as during spudding, before causing theslips to engage the casing. In accordance with the present invention,mechanism is provided for accomplishing this and also for forcing theslips into tight-engagement with the casing at the desired time.Connected into a socket in the upper end of each slip I8 is a shorttoggle link 2|. These links extend upwardly and inwardly to connect theslips to a control ringr 22. The control ring 22 is concentricallydisposed with and freely movable upon the mandrel I2.. It is providedwith a sleeve 23 which is temporarily connected to a collar 24 xed to'the mandrel I2 by 'means of some suitable latch such as the latch bars25 which extend through the wall of the mandrel I2 into the interiorthereof. The latch arrangement may be as illustrated in detail in FigurelA. .The inner ends of the latch plates 25 are provided with suitabletapered portions 26 so as to cause them to move outwardly radially whenstruck by a go-devil 21 or other suitable device which may be droppedinto the well'or lowered therein upon a wire line.

Instead of this means for temporarily latching the ring 22 to themandrel, any other suitable means, such as a J-slot and pin connection,may be employed.

A coil spring 28 is located between the collar 24 and the ring 22 and ispreferably provided with a swivel 29 at its lower end.

It will be seen that with the parts in the position in Figure l theslips are latched to the mandrel through the toggle links 2|, the ring22 and the latch plates 25 but that when these latch plates are releasedthe spring 28will move the ring 22 downwardly and cause the slips tomove outwardly radially and engage the casing.` The links 2| andthe ring22 thus constiltute a toggle-joint which is capable of forcing the slipsinto engagement with the casing with considerable pressure and withconsiderable mechanical advantage when the spring 28 is released toexert a downward force on the central portion 22. Only one toggle link2| is illustrated in connection with each slip. More could obviously beemployed to give strength.

In addition to the parts just described, the packer assembly includes anut 38 screw threaded onto the mandrel I2 at a point adjacent the slipsI8. The outer surface of the nut is provided with slots adapted toreceive the links 28 and 2 I. A construction is thus provided in whichthe nut :38 cannot rotate with respect to the slips I8. If desired, theslips may be splined to the nut'to hold it against rotation but this isnot shown in the drawings.

The threads on the nut are such that as the mandrel is rotated to theright, as viewed from the top, the nut will travel upwardly on themandrel. Unless the nut is splined to the slips, it must be long enoughto cause the upper links 2| to enter the slots therein before the lowerlinks 28 leave the slots so that some means is always provided forholding the nut against rotation with respect to the slips.

The lower end of the nut 38 is shown provided with several dependingleaf spring pawls 3| adapted to engage ratchet teeth 32 on the upper andinner surface of the shoe I1. These may be dispensed with, if desired,in which case the packer would be held expanded by pulling upwardly uponthe mandrel until the cement is in place.

In certain phases of the operation of the tool it is desirable to washcement or other material out ofthe mandrel I2 and from and around theslips I8. To this end, Wash out ports 33 are provided in the mandrel.When the nut 38 is in the position shown in Figure 1, these Wash outports are closed thereby, but when the nut moves upwardly these wash outports are opened so that uid can ow from the inside of the mandrelthrough the ports and around the space between the pawls 3| and upwardlybetween the slips I8.

The details of construction of the links 28 and 2| and the parts withwhich they are associated is shown in perspective in Figure 5. The endsof the links may be somewhat enlarged as shown at 34 to form cylindricalconnecting portions adapted to lt for limited rotation within sockets 35in the slips I8, ring 22 or shoe I1. The links may be held Vinpositionby set screws (not shown) tting into grooves in the portions 34. The nut38 has slots 36 therein for accommodating the links 28 and 2|.. Theslots 36 should be substantially the same width as the links.

The projections 31 between the slots 36 on the nut 38 may extendoutwardly far enough to bring the slips I8 within the slots, in whichcase, it may be said that the slips are splined to the nut 38.

In accordance with the usual practice, the

lower shoe I4 of the assembly is provided with a suitable spring pressedvalve 3l.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: With the parts in therelative positions shown in Figure 1, the assembly is lowered into thewell to the desired location. 'Ihe gc-devil 21 is then dropped and thering 22 released from the mandrel so that the spring 2l forces the slipout into engagement with the casing as described above. It is to benoted that, when the spring 2l is released, there will be a snap actionand the slips will be forced against the casing with some impact. Theparts then assume the relative position shown in Figure 2. If now themandrel is pulled upwardly, the packer is expanded into engagement withthe casing. This action takes place because the slips i8 have firmlyengaged the casing. 'I'hey prevent the upper shoe of the packer frommoving upwardly. As the mandrel and lower shoe of the packer are pulledupwardly, the pawls 3| engage the ratchet teeth 32 and prevent the lowershoe and mandrel from moving downwardly again with respect to the uppershoe when upward pull upon the mandrel is discontinued. Thus, the packeris held in expanded position. Cement may then be forced under pressurethrough the drill pipe or tubing which supports the mandrel anddownwardly through the mandrel passing out through the valve Il to apoint beneath the packer assembly. During the forcing of this cementdownwardly through the apparatus, the fluid pressure exerted on thelower shoe of the packer will be transmitted upwardly through the packerand the upper shoe to the links 2n and the slips I2 which are then fixedto the casing.

After the desired quantity of cement has been forced into the well inthis manner, the fluid pressure is relieved. The valve Il then closes.The washing out operation may then be undertaken. To accomplish this,the drill pipe and mandrel are first rotated to the right a slightamount so as to cause the nut 2l to travel upwardly on the mandrel andopen the wash out ports 33. The parts are then in the relative positionsshown in Figure 3. In accordance with the usual practice, the circuitfor the washing uid, such as water, is downwardly through the drill pipeand` mandrel I2 out through the wash out ports 33 and upwardly on theoutside of the mandrel, around the slips Il and upwardly between thedrill pipe and the casing. Reverse circulation can be effected ifdesired.

The washing out operation may be continued during the entire time thatit takes for the cement to harden or set, or the washing out operationmay be discontinued after a time and drill pipe disconnected from themandrel i2 and moved upwardly a suillcient distance to insure against itbecoming cemented in the well. If the drill pipe is disconnected, it islater lowered and again connected on to the mandrel.

To remove the apparatus from the well, the mandrel i2 is further rotatedto the right. This causes the nut to travel upwardly still further` andinto engagement with the ring 22 of the toggle-joint. The'toggle-jointis broken as the ring 22 is forced upwardly, the spring 28 beingcompressed and the slips drawn radially in- .wardly into the positionshown in Figure 4.

Upon then pulling up upon the mandrel, the upper shoe of the packer maybe raised, the pull being transmitted through the nut 30, the ring 22,the toggle links 2l, the slips il and the links 3 2U to the upper shoeof the packer. The entire apparatus may thus be removed from the well.

While only one embodiment of the invention is shown and describedherein, it is obvious that various changes may be made in the apparatusand construction of parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

l. A packer assembly, suitable for use as a cement retainer in an oilwell, which includes a packer, a set of slips located above the packerand adapted to hold the packer against upward movement when set on thecasing of the well and means for setting and releasing the slips on thecasing, 'said means including links having their outer ends connected tothe slips and mechanism for actuating the inner ends of the links tocause the slips to move out and in ra-` dially in the casing.

2. A packer assembly, suitable for use as a cement retainer in an oilwell, which includes a packer having an upper and a lower shoe, a set ofslips located above the packer and adapted to hold the packer againstupward movement when set on the casing of thel well)and means forsetting and releasing the slips on the casing, said means includinglinks pivotally connecting the slips to the upper shoe of the packer andlinks pivotally connecting the slips to a member movable with respect tothe upper shoe of the packer, the arrangement being such that movementof said member with respect to the upper shoe may set and release Itheslips.

3. A packer assembly, suitable for use in an oil well, which includes aset of slips adapted to engage the casing of the well and means forsetting and releasing said slips, said means including a toggle-joint.

4. A packer assembly, suitable for use as a cement retainer in an oilwell, which includes a packer having an upper and a lower shoe, a set ofslips located above the packer and so constructed as to resist upwardmovement when set on the casing of the well, means for transmittingforce from the upper shoe of the packer to said slips' when the slipsare set and mechanism having a toggle-joint therein for setting andreleasing said slips.

5. An arrangement for removably fixing apparatus in the casing of an oilwell including, in combination, alset vof slips and mechanism foractuating the 'slips to move the same out and in radially of the casing,said mechanism including a toggle-joint.

6. An arrangement for removably fixing apparatus in the casing of an oilwell including, in combination, a set of slips and'mechanism foractuating the slips to I nove the same out and in radially of thecasing, said mechanism including a toggle-joint adapted to set the slipsupon the exertion of a downward force on the central portion thereof andadapted to release the slips upon the exertion of an upward force on thecentral portion thereof and means operable from the surface of the wellfor moving the central portion of the toggle-joint down or up withrespect to the slips.

7. An arrangement for removably fixing apparatus in the casing of an oilwell including, in combination, a set of slips and. mechanism foractuating the .slips to move the same out and in radially of the casing,said mechanism including a toggle-joint adapted to set the slips uponthe exertion of a downward force on the central portion thereof andadapted to release the slips upon the exertion o an upward force on thecentral portion thereof and means operable from the surface of the Wellfor moving the central portion of the toggle-point down or up withrespect to the slips, said means including a member screw threaded to apipe and adapted upon rotation of the pipe to move the central vportionof the toggie-joint in one direction.

8. An arrangement for removably fixing a packer in the casing of an oilwell including, in combination, a set of slips, links connecting theslips to the packer so as to permit the slipsto move in and out radiallywith respect to the `packer and a toggle-joint for controlling theradial movement of the slips.

9. An arrangement for removably fixing a packer in the casing of an oilwell including, in combination, a mandrel for carrying the packer, a setof slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit theslips to move in and out `radially with respect to the packer,togglejoint mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the slipsand means screw threaded on the mandrel for moving the toggle-jointmechanism in one direction.

16. An arrangement for removably ilxing a packer in the casing of an oilwell including, in combination, a mandrel for carrying the packer, a setof slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit theslips to move in and out radially with respect to the packer,togglejoint mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the slips,means screw threaded on the mandrel for moving the toggle-jointmechanism in one direction and a spring for urging the toggle-j ointmechanism in another direction.

1l. An arrangement for removably ilxing a packer in the casing of an oilwell ncluding,.in combination, a mandrel for carrying the packer, a setof slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit theslips'to move in and out radially with respect to the packer,togglejoint mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the slips,means screw threaded on the mandrel for moving the toggle-jointmechanism in one direction, a spring -for urging the togglejointmechanism in another directien and means for temporarily latching saidspring and togglejoint mechanism to the mandrel to hold the same in lxedposition with respect thereto.

PAUL M. ROHRBAUGH.

